The Role of Russian Media in the Political Destabilization of Eastern European Countries in the Context of the Russian–Ukrainian War

Abstract

The use of information as a weapon in both the foreign and domestic policies of the Russian Federation is not a new phenomenon. However, its sophistication and intensity have increased with each passing year. Recently, the European Union and the United States have acknowledged the significant and often covert influence of Russian media and propaganda, including their impact on electoral processes and the functioning of governmental institutions. They have recognized that the Russian disinformation threat to the United States and its European allies primarily concerns Poland, the Baltic States, and Ukraine.

Moreover, unlike Soviet-era propaganda, contemporary methods of Russian information warfare do not promote the Kremlin’s agenda in an overt or categorical manner. Instead, they aim to confuse, mislead, and divert citizens from supporting the European Union and assistance to Ukraine. Russia seeks to undermine support for European values, thereby creating confusion among European allies in order to strengthen its own position. Ethnic, linguistic, cultural, historical, and social differences are deliberately exploited to achieve these objectives.

Recent developments demonstrate that Russia’s efforts to exert influence in Europe are integral to its broader hybrid strategy of power projection. Although the crisis in Ukraine drew Western attention to the significance and scope of Russia’s information campaigns, the Kremlin’s use of disinformation had already been underway prior to the outbreak of the crisis. Russia deliberately and systematically planned its information campaign targeting Ukraine. It expanded its presence in the information space and engaged in the recruitment and financial support of various political actors, civil servants, and public figures in pursuit of its strategic objectives.